Council issues update on Athlone water levels

Westmeath County Council has said it is continuing to actively monitor water levels on the Shannon.

In a statement issued at noon today (Friday), it said water levels on the Shannon in Athlone are currently at 38.86m OD Poolbeg. This represents an increase of 60mm in the last 24 hours.

Water levels remain at approximately 1m below the highest level recorded in Winter of 2015/16.
The River Shannon is a slow rising river due to the scale of the catchment area and this gives time for additional responses to be put in place when necessary.

The council said its staff will continue to monitor river levels and are prepared for the deployment of defence measures, if required, should levels continue to rise over the weekend.

The permanent flood defences already in place will provide significant protection to areas of the town that were affected in the past.